AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2240, 4 February 1897, Page 32

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

February 2. J .Owing to fearfully inclement weather on Anni- I versary Day the Takapuna Jockey Club's Summer , meeting was postponed till the following day, but the weather not improving it hud again to be i postponed till next Wednesday. The heavy going ! that is sure to be experienced must affect the , chaaces of the hoises mentioned in my anticipations last week, but as the first tlay's racing takes , place the day beforj the Witness is published I cannot alter my selections. j A tigure well knows in local' racing chclns j passed over to the big majority last week in the I person of Mr M. Sloan Morpeth. Deceased, when I he raced horses, always did so from the stablc3 presided over by J. B. Williamson. When the Auckland Racing Club was considering the question of jockeys' permits at the beginning of this season it refused the application of Ashdown, and that rider is endeavouring to gfct the club to reconsider its decision. Ashuown's last mount was on Donald M'Kinnon when that steeplechaser baulked so unexpectedly at one of the jumps and put backers in such a bad hole. This mishap to the horse was a perfect godsend to the bookmakers, who had laid the double Hopgardeu and Donald M'Kinnon very heavily. Rumours were" enrrent at the time, but nothing was done save that Ashdown did not get ftuothor license; but whether that had any connection with A! 'Kinnon's baulking is not for me to Eiiy. What I can say, however, is that a very startling denouement to the whole affair may be looked tor shortly. St. Clements'a trip to Wellington was an unfortunate one. Tho injury he met with in the Cup bus affected his leg in the old spot. There is every probability that the horse will have to bo treated \o another long cpell. News conies from Havvera that Nelson's son Man-o'-War has gone ■wrong, and ha 3 nc«r, thrown out of work. # i St. Paul's party state that thsir colt sustained veiy eerioua interference from Rangipuhi in the Wellington R.C. Handicap. With a straight run they say they are sure the eon of St. Leger would have won. The colt cawe home last week, so it is evident he is not to fulfil his engagement in the CJ.C Midsuiuinur HamU ap. It is expected that FWgut, St Leonard?, and Belle will be sent to Sydney f».r sale purposes after the Takapuna meeting. , The two famous Australian billiardists Weiss . and Meniuioit have started a tour of the colony, and opened proceedings hare the other night. 'Ihey played 3500 up, with the result that Memmott won by 349 points. The largest break in the match — 241 — was put together by Memmott.